Shooting suspects leave trail of guns during police pursuit

A drive-by shooting in West Central Spokane lead to a car chase and ended with guns being tossed out of a car across downtown Spokane.

The shooting happened on the 1800 block of West Gardner Tuesday morning.

"That's what happens in this neighborhood, it's unreal," Robert Amicarella said.

Police combed an alley near 1800 W. Gardner searching for bullet casings and evidence. No one was hit in the shooting.

Shortly after the shots fired call, police identified a brown Infiniti SUV as the suspects' vehicle, located it and a pursuit was initiated by police. After a brief chase through the downtown core, the SUV crashed at the intersection of Main and Browne and two suspects were located and taken into custody.

One person had minor injuries after the pursuit.

Police say four guns were thrown out the car window during the pursuit, leaving a trail of evidence all along Main Street. One was found near RiverPark Square; another was found near the intersection of Main and Stevens.

"I heard a big smack on the side of my bin and the next thing you know, I feel something on the back of my leg," Robert Dowling said.

Dowling was working on a demolition crew at the old Huppin's store and, when he took a load to the bid outside, heard a bang.

"I heard a smack on the side here. I look down and right about here there was a gun clip, I look out here in the road, and that's where I saw the gun," he said.

Dowling's boss called police as did other witnesses who found guns downtown. Dowling said he was happy he was only hit by the pistol magazine.

"I'm just glad there were no bullets in the gun because in the middle of this container it would have ricocheted, I probably would have been done," Dowling said.

The pursuit ended near Brown and Main after the driver hit two parked cars. Another handgun was found there.

Two suspects jumped out of the SUV and tried to run away but were quickly caught by officers.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Spokane Police identified the suspects as 29-year-old Jesus Valencia and 25-year-old Lloyd Brice. Brice was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Drive By Shooting and Felony Hit and Run while Valencia was booked into jail for Drive By Shooting.